Weekend Preview: Best Events 1/10-15

Rapper Nelly performs live at FLUXX this Friday, Jan. 13th

Rapper Nelly performs live at FLUXX this Friday, Jan. 13th

Rapper Nelly performs live at FLUXX this Friday, Jan. 13th

The holiday haze has officially passed and we are settling back into our real world routines. Resolve to find lifestyle balance by working hard, and playing harder. The entertainment scene is picking back up, and this weekend is proof that 2012 will be a year filled with non-stop parties.

Our top events for this week in San Diego include rapper Nelly performing live at FLUXX, Australian sister DJ duo NERVO spinning the Wintervention season opener at the Hard Rock Hotel, and the winter edition of San Diego Restaurant Week. More entertainment ideas include the family-friendly musical CATS at the Civic Theatre, Kettner Nights in Little Italy, and the Chinese New Year Cirque Rave at 4th & B.

CATS is considered one of the longest running and most loved family musicals of all time. Based on T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, and brought to life with memorable music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, CATS is a truly unique production that you must see to believe. From the high-energy Jellicle Ball dance sequence to the most-emotional signature song “Memory,” CATS takes the audience on a vivid tour through the mystical lives of cats, including Grizabella, Jennyanydots and Old Deuteronomy. CATS returns to the Civic Theatre January 10th – 15 with Broadway San Diego.

Grammy Award winning rapper Nelly is bringing his Country Grammar vibe back to FLUXX this Friday, January 13th. Embrace your inner St. Lunatic and prepare for a wild, live in-club performance when the clock strikes midnight. As it gets “Hot in Herre,” we hope to hear Nelly’s hottest hit singles, from “Grillz” and “Shake Ya Tailfeather” to the classic “E.I.” and the latest “Just a Dream.” Secure a front row spot at the stage for an intimate concert experience.

Celebrate Chinese New Year with a completely unique cultural dance party taking over 4th & B this Friday, January 13th. The mesmerizing circus-inspired entertainment line-up includes lion/fan dancing, a diablo yoyo artist, sword juggling, a hoop charmer, stilt walkers, slack lining, aerialists and more. Unlike in authentic Chinese traditions, the Cirque Rave dancing will be set to today’s top electronic, dup step, house and trance music spun by DJs Ayla Simone and Man-Cat. The sensory stimulation continues with the live human buffet, which will feature a variety of Chinese desserts assorted atop female models.

Little Italy’s Art and Design District was modeled after the trendy SoHo and Chelsea districts in New York City, now filling Kettner Boulevard and India Street with diverse resources for local art-lovers and design patrons. Little Italy North invites the community to discover the scene after dark with a free event held the second Friday of every other month. Ketter Nights returns this Friday, January 13th. From 6 to 9pm, explore the neighborhood’s art, design and antique boutiques and mix with likeminded locals along Kettner and India from Grape to Laurel Streets. During Kettner Nights, many Little Italy businesses also host special events, such as the “Art is Everywhere” collection preview at 98 Bottles.

Twice a year, a food-fueled event storms into town to challenge our culinary commitments and introduce us to a whole new world of flavor possibilities. The winter edition of San Diego Restaurant Week returns January 15th – 20th, featuring discounted prix fixe menus at 180 restaurants across the county. Restaurant Week is a great time to eat outside your comfort zone for lunch or dinner, ranging from $15 to $40 depending on the venue. A few of our top picks include Addison, Jake’s Del Mar, Cucina Urbana, Bleu Boheme, Flavor, JRDN and BO-beau.

Throw your winter jackets aside and prepare to strip down to your finest beach chic attire. Our San Diego weather forecast says things are about to get hot. Channeling the Hard Rock Hotel San Diego’s popular Intervention summer pool parties, we’re doing Wintervention right with all the essential elements, including A-list DJ’s, cocktails, bikinis, day beds and plenty of local eye-candy. Australian sister DJ duo NERVO is kicking off the 2012 Wintervention season this Sunday, January 15th. Get to know the ladies of NERVO in our new Style Profile. For VIP reservations, call 866.359.3519.

No Sunday Funday is complete without Five / Ten Intermission, Side Bar’s signature evening bash that picks up right where the pool parties drop off during sweet summertime. The Hard Rock Hotel is reviving the summer spirit with Wintervention, and so it only makes sense that Side Bar would launch an appropriate after party. The season’s first Five / Ten Winter Session launches this Sunday, January 15 with beats by Chris Cutz and DJ Kurch, following the debut Wintervention with NERVO.